By Chris Brown
How can you, Mr. Hunter, help rookies and newbies get into hunting?
Being a rookie in anything is hard, even if you know your game well. In the hunting world, I’m the rookie right now. Shot my first bow this year at age 35. Have yet to kill a deer; then again I hunt with a camera most often. Climbed into my first treestand this year, and I thank the good Lord I was wearing a Hunters Safety System vest. No, I didn’t fall, but I do not get along very well with heights.
So what’s it like being a rookie hunter, or the hunting newbie?
Its pretty cool, actually, but its also overwhelming. I am a big, I mean BIG fisherman. Have done it all my life, and hunting was never really a part of the outdoors my family and I took part in. Not that we didn’t want to; we just never had the opportunity. I was fortunate enough to move quite a few times growing up, and everywhere I went you could find a place to fish. Hunting — not so much.
About eight years ago I was introduced to duck hunting, and before my son was born I took my fair share of ducks. But when it came to deer or big game, the right time just never seemed to come up. I’ve shot about every gauge shotgun there is, but I have never shot a rifle. No, nope, nada, never, not once. I have one, but I’ve never shot it. It’s a gorgeous gun that’s never been to the range or in the woods, as it was a going-away present from my last job.
Throughout the past six months at Buckmasters, I have been exposed to stuff I never thought existed, even in my wildest dreams.
From clothing with carbon technologies, scents to attract deer, sprays to eliminate scent, Realtree camo in one pattern, and then another for later in the year. Calibers, scopes, optics, arrows, broadheads, draw length, sights, peeps, rests, fletchings, infrared cameras, time lapse, video time lapse, rut, scrapes, sheds, bucks, does, fawns, estrus, bolt-action, muzzleloaders — you name it, I now have been exposed to it.
It all comes at you at 200 mph, and it feels like you’d better catch on quick because what’s here today might be gone tomorrow.
Why am I telling ya’ll this?
Because there are a lot of rookies out there like me, plus women and kids, and we all need a little guidance.
For years, the folks in the fishing world have promoted the slogan, “Take Me Fishing.” It encourages an individual fisherman to introduce kids and/or adults to the world of fishing, both fresh- and saltwater.
Did you know we have over 13 million hunters in the USA? I would love to know the number of folks like me who have a passion for the outdoors, love being out in it and have a desire to hunt but have never been given the opportunity. We need to adopt a “Take Me Hunting” slogan to help get others into the woods.
My son is 7 and has recently taken up archery. He shoots a Mission Craze compound bow and he has a sight, peep and release just like my larger Mathews-based rig. He LOVES to shoot his bow, and when we shoot together, he asks questions I can’t answer.
I have to go to the guys who taught me — and continue to teach me — to get those answers. My son is eaten up with it, and I want to keep his enthusiasm up. Our deer season has ended in Alabama, but he is just enjoying shooting right now, and that is fine. Maybe one year he and I can both take our first deer, and what a memory that will be. But for now I am jazzed to see him excited about shooting.
I won’t deny that I am blessed because I’m getting my opportunity to learn about hunting as a 35-year-old rookie in an environment rich with knowledgeable teachers. And I can pass that knowledge to my son, and hopefully my daughter as she grows up. We can all learn together.
So are you passionate about hunting?
Do you care to share and pass it along to your kids? Maybe you can help a kid who doesn’t have a dad but shows some interest in the outdoors. How about a buddy or co-worker who asks a bunch of questions and is just waiting or hoping you will ask him to join you in the woods one day? Your wife? Your girlfriend?
Pass it along, guys.
Help rookies like me, whether we are 5 or 35, learn about the outdoors and the awesome privilege we have to hunt and fish and be in the outdoors.
Thanks,
CB
P.S. I’m reaching out for information. Tell us about someone who was influential in your life either while you grew up, or recently helped you along your journey to the woods. If you have a story, I want to hear about it. Heck, we might even use it on the website. Let us know about someone who has helped you, or tell us about someone you’re helping get into the outdoors. E-mail me at cbrown@buckmasters.com